If you live in the city, perhaps the only way you'd ever think of getting fresh produce would be the supermarket or the occasional farmer's market. These days, however, a third alternative is becoming more and more popular - the CSA farm. This growing trend among urban dwellers, CSA stands for "Community Supported Agriculture" and is a kind of co-op where, for a monthly fee, a member can get fresh produce on a regular basis (usually weekly). You can get a variety of produce, depending on which CSA you join, but for the most part, it's like getting a surprise package each time.

A CSA typically works something like this: During a given farming season, a member pays for a basket or box on a weekly basis. A farmer will then, deliver the said basket, filled with whatever happens to have been harvested that week. Some farms will even have eggs, dairy products and meat and chicken.

There are many advantages, both to the farmer and the member with this system. First, the farmer improves his cash flow, since he will have the membership fees on hand, even before he starts harvesting. He doesn't have to spend as much time going to the market and trying to sell his goods, and he reduces the leftovers. For the member, of course, there's the benefit of eating and cooking with the freshest produce available. Most CSA members are families, and parents often find that their kids prefer the fresh veggies, and the kids are more willing to eat the produce, especially if the particular farm encourages their members to visit the farm.

CSA farms do have their disadvantages as well. First, is the cost. A typical CSA membership fee can range from $400 to $1,000 per year. For some families, shelling out this much cash all at once is virtually impossible. Next, getting unfamiliar vegetables could mean wasting a lot of ingredients, especially if you're not an adventurous eater or cook. It could also mean that it would be difficult to plan meals ahead of time, so a little flexibility is required.

Still, having fresh and organic produce does have its advatages. As many cooks can assert, fresh ingredients simply taste much better and can improve your over-all health.

Labels: Gardening

If you love to cook, then chances are, you're obsessed about getting the best and freshest ingredients and herbs are no exception. Herbs can make or break any recipe, and what better way to ensure that you get the best quality, why not grow your own? Here are a list of the best herbs to plant.

1) Dill - a popular cooking herb, dill is best paired with fish. The dill leaves (or weed), is the most commonly used part, but the seeds and flowers are also utilized in many other recipes. Dill is easy to grow in a garden or container, with the plant growing about 3 to 5 feet tall. Another added bonus is the fact that dill attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and tachinid flies.

2) Sage - The strong, distinctive flavor of sage often makes it ideal with meats such as lamb and pork. It is more commonly found in stuffing for chicken or other game birds. Long ago, it was used by the Greeks and Romans for its medicinal purposes and even as a cure for snake bites. Sage is difficult to grow from seeds, often taking up to 2 years to mature fully, so cuttings from older plants are best used when beginning to plant your garden. They prefer direct sunlight and well-drained soil. They also thrive in containers, as long as they get plenty of sun.

3) Basil - Basil, of course, is the best with pasta, whether as whole leaves or ground up in pesto. The sweet variety is also used in many traditional Thai recipes. Basil plants need plenty of sunlight - 6 to 8 hours should be adequate - and is very sensitive to frost. When the plants start growing, pinch off the top leaves and flowers to keep the plant bushy and full of leaves.

4) Parsley - Parsley is actually the most popular herb in the world, and not just because of its aesthetic value as a garnish. Originating in the Mediterranean, it is used in many French, Arabic, Greek recipes. Aside from sunlight, it's best to feed it with plenty of organic matter such as manure or compost.

5) Oregano - Oregano is actually wild marjoram, and has many varieties such as Mexican, Spanish and Greek. It is widely used in Italian cooking, as it goes great with tomato based sauces, whether in pasta or pizza. It is easy to grow and, like other mediterranean herbs, require lots of sunlight and well-drained soil.

Labels: Gardening